13-year-old boy 'expelled for mustache'

A 13-year-old boy has reportedly been expelled from school after refusing to shave off his mustache.

Marc Grey, from Blyth, Northumberland, was removed from Bede Academy on December 7, in a decision upheld by an independent panel, the Daily Mail reports.

The boy's parents argued that Marc should not be forced to shave because, like his 15-year-old brother Ryan, he suffers from persistent irritation caused by shaving known as pseudofolliculitis barbae ("barber's rash").

Father Peter, 53, said: "Marc should not have been expelled as he just followed his mom and dad's instructions.

"We want the black mark removed from his name... It's mad and laughable. The doctor said it is a farce."

The family reportedly agreed in March 2010 that Ryan would shave weekly, but he was given a temporary exclusion and Marc was expelled after the summer holidays.

Academy principal Gwyneth Evans said: "The ruling by the Exclusion Appeal Panel upholds the difficult decision we were forced to take in this case, where a student had repeatedly refused to comply with the Academy's uniform requirements.

"The Academy has high expectations of students regarding behavior, uniform and their appearance and our policy is applied fairly to all students.

"Parents are made aware of the policy from the outset and agree to abide by the rules when their child joins the Academy."

The Grey family have removed Marc's siblings Ryan and Scott, 17, from the school and all three are now studying at Blyth Community College.